Hello everyone! There’s been so much going on in our little neck of the woods. Our garden is coming along nicely. I really don’t need an excuse to get out in garden, sure it can be hard work but I find it relaxing too.
You want to know something? I really hate wearing gloves, and so when weeding you usally won’t find me wearing them. I can always wash the dirt out of my nails afterwards, right? My nails grow fast, are strong, and fairly long. I know not the ideal combination for a garden lover, but there yah go.
Although I haven’t had too much time for writing here at Celebrate Life, I still manage to tweet on Twitter and have met some fabulous folks in the process. If you have a twitter account you can follow me at @Nyomomma. For the most part, I’m finding them more chatty than my gaming tweet folks.
I’ve been also focusing on another project. It’s not ‘new’ since I’ve always had a love for this activity since I was around six years old, but it looks like I’ll be moving forward with it early next year.
Allow me to ramble a bit, ok? I’ve always been fascinated with bees. All types, but my favorite has been honey bees. I’ve always been impressed with these industrious little creatures, and have read numerous articles/books about them as a child.
As I became older, my fascination with them grew. I noticed a huge decline in bee population an decided to read up on the subject. I knew I wasn’t imaging things when I immediately pulled up articles about this very topic on the world wide web. Colony Collapse Disorder is something that seems to have affected bees on a world-wide scale. Unbelievable!
Naturally, when I started reading about Colony Collapse Disorder I was concerned. A 1/3 of the crops that humans eat are dependent on Bees. Some experts speculate that if honey bees continue to die off human survival won’t last too much longer.
I’ve always wanted to invite bees in our little world. I imagine some might think that’s strange since I’m Vegan. I don’t want them for their honey. I’m not bothered by those who responsibly gather honey either. Over the years, I’ve met a few local beekeepers that were amazing, and really took care of their little bees. Anyway, I do believe the bees I invite on our property will benefit from the land and crops we do have here, and it will be nice to see more bees around the place. More important, I want to do my part to help out with the declining bee population.
About six years ago, I had planned on getting bees. Just like anything I’m interested in, I did a lot of research; I had read numerous articles/books about beekeeping but I held off getting them. One of the main reasons was my daughter. She was a little over one year old. Although she’s never been out of my sight, part of me was still paranoid about her somehow getting past mommy and opening that buzzing box near the woods (yeah as if that would happen!)
I rejoined the Beemaster’s forum, I couldn’t remember the user name I had when first joined about three or four years ago, and I came up with another one. I’ve always enjoyed that site since it is a wealth of information and the owner, and the Beemaster community has always made it a wonderful place to hang out and increase my knowledge about bees. I’m looking forward to learning more about them.
I’m currently working on an article about bees, I imagine I’ll be finished early next week and will publish it here on Not Your Ordinary Momma.
I won’t be getting bees this year, but in Spring 2011, we’ll most likely be welcoming a few hives onto our property.
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Colony Collapse Disorder
Makes me think of the movie ‘The Happening’, the bees are all gone! Hehe. One of my absolute faves. Anyhow, hope you do get your bees in due time, sounds like a very interesting hobby.
I’ve been busy also, finally settled into the new house. Speaking of nails mine also grow fast- I had to trim them down some lol, they got in the way of unpacking.
Heya Kaozz!
Oh, I’ve never heard of the movie, I’ll have to check it out.
Yeah bees have always captivated me, for the most part I’ll leave them alone. Just like I wouldn’t want someone curious (but well meaning) stranger fumbling around in my house, well I’m not about to do it to them, lol.
Yeah my nails can be a pain, because they do grow so fast, lol. 🙂
My family has worked with honey bees for 3 generations. I’ve been interested in them but we don’t have the property to do it.
Interesting enough, I had an issue with my zucchini not being pollinated (I posted it tonight) and haven’t seen but 1 bee so far this summer. It’s such a tragedy to see what is happening to the honey bee. I hope you get your hives going and colonize the world with more bees! Great!
Hi midmented!
Wow, that must be impressive. I bet they have so much knowledge about beekeeping.
Re: bees
Oh you might be able to, the beekeeping forum I mentioned a few of the members don’t have a lot of property. I’ve even met some city beekeepers, which I found fascinating! Anyway there’s an article posted on beemaster.com on Determining the Size of your Apiary. In the article they discuss property size. I was shocked that you really didn’t need too mush space to house bees.
I was really impressed with the amount of beekeepers out there who lived in populated areas.
Re: Blossom rot
Have you tried or thought about planting bee friendly plants to attract more bees? My daughter and I are picking up a few bee friendly plants tomorrow, I like seeing bees around the flowers near our house, and since I moved some flowers well they are further away. 🙁 I’ve listed a few bee friendly plants below….
Bee Friendly Plants
Annuals
Herbs
Perennials
I would love to have bees and an Owl box! But I think Ill have to settle for the lampworking right now as I dont think husband can sustain anymore money damage! I miss the chickens I had too out in the country with my X! Your collards make me want to eat some! You are def a beacon of light and makes me think I sure could do better on the healthy part. Do you think you will get bees?
Hi Janet,
The initial setup can run a few hundred dollars, if you get all the recommended stuff but after that it doesn’t seem as expensive.
My parents had chickens when we were children, we had turkeys, goats, rabbits, ducks, guineas, and pigs too. I’m used to being around animals, so it’s no surprise I still have them. 🙂
I know I’ll get bees; it’s only a matter of ‘when’ I’m hoping that Spring 2011 will be the year when I have my first bees. If all goes well I’ll approach my church and try to convince them to house bees on their property too. 🙂
..and thanks for the kind words too, you’re an inspiration also. You have a positive attitude and I always think about beading when I check out your website. I’ll finally get the chance to do some when I’m on vacation at the end of this month. 🙂
Thanks for the advice about the bee friendly plants! I planted marigolds, zinnias, clematis, and geraniums about 30 feet away from the vegetables but most are only now starting to bloom. It looks like even at the 30 foot distance, I am attracting bees now. I haven’t had any more blossom rot on any of them that I have seem this week. I found 4 Shepard hook iron poles (3/8″) at a yard sale for a dollar. The thought is to put some hanging pots on them and grow bee friendly plants in them around the garden plants.
It’s funny you should mention beekeeping in the city. Just 2 days ago I noticed a “bee box” down the street about 6 houses down. If I put them here, I would have to fence them in. There are too many small kids (including my grandkids, LOL) that may be too curious (which is why I haven’t checked into it).
Hiya midmented!
I’m glad to hear you’re attracting bees now. Our honeybees our in the garden which is a little way from the house. I’m slightly bummed that they aren’t by our house anymore. It’s so strange… neither I nor my neighbors use chemicals. Hopefully, the bee friendly plants will lure them back closer to the house. We love the honeybees!
Re: Beehive
I see your point; yeah I would be paranoid too. My daughter is seven and although she loves looking at the bees (and will occasionally lightly touch the industrious bumblebee as it goes about its duties) she doesn’t do anything else except watch while I talk about them. I love insects, and I guess I’ve passed some of that love/fascination on to her. 🙂
I was just thinking of fresh honey! I look forward future wise on your honey journey!
Hello Janet!
The fresh honey would definitely make it worth it. I’ve read that local honey can be very helpful for those who might have allergies so that’s another added perk. If you can purchase local honey by all means do it, naturally organically raised bees are better since you don’t have to worry about what chemicals were used with them.